Rescuing a launch that had already failed once

the brief.

BC Parks Foundation wanted an intuitive, engaging platform for British Columbians to explore and book park experiences. What they had was the first vendor's clunky, admin-unfriendly, user-confusing version, and a stakeholder group that had lost faith. The brief was as much about restoring trust as building software: deliver the original vision, this time user-first and future-ready.

BC Parks Foundation — the relaunch · 01

Go outside: the platform's second first impression.01 / 04

the challenge.

The starting point was a broken system and a skeptical client. The existing platform was confusing for users and admins alike, rigid and overcomplicated, and failing at core jobs like event booking and self-guided activities. Stakeholders were frustrated by money already spent, so the work had to prove, early and visibly, that this time would be different.

the process.

We led with discovery and transparency. Deep interviews and workshops re-established alignment, and we rebuilt confidence (the only way it can be rebuilt) through agile delivery and incremental wins that stakeholders could see. Technical audits and user research with both seasoned parkgoers and first-time explorers told us where the old system actually failed; prototype testing validated the navigation, booking, and self-guided journeys before we committed to them. The governing principle: usability over technical constraint, every time the two collided.

BC Parks Foundation — the platform · 02

The same search, in your pocket on the trail.02 / 04

the solution.

a scalable, user-first platform.

We rebuilt DiscoverParks.ca on a flexible, scalable foundation, replacing the rigid legacy system. Event booking and navigation were streamlined to cut the friction that had stalled the original; an intuitive CMS put content control back in the foundation's hands, and the brand's digital identity was strengthened to reinforce credibility with parkgoers. We took an MVP-first approach (launching, learning from real-world feedback, and improving) rather than betting everything on a single big release.

BC Parks Foundation — the persona · 03

Saige: the advocate every screen had to serve.03 / 04

the outcome.

The headline here is recovery: a failed vendor investment turned into a working, trusted platform, a cost-avoidance outcome before it's anything else. Simplified booking flows increased engagement and participation; an intuitive CMS freed the foundation's team to manage the platform independently; and stakeholders regained confidence in a product that finally aligned with their mission. The foundation is left with a future-ready foundation built to adapt as needs grow.

BC Parks Foundation — the moodboard · 04

Two references, one direction: structure meets warmth.04 / 04